Demigod Studios // AL.I.V.E. Interview Part 3

AL.I.V.E. Interview Part 3

“It’s been a long time since we hosted an interview in 3 parts and we are delighted that we filled October with the 1st and 2nd part of the interview of the ” Team of the month ” Demigod Studios! Also alot were written about the changes in our field in recent years in response to this article.

The aim is not to reminisce about the past or to judge the present. What happened does not change and brought us to where we are today. More important are the changes that happen in the field that concerns us where they lead and not the positive or negative in front of a future that we the creators are looking for .

What we need to keep in mind in my opinion is that now it is a common belief that the era of stars game creators has already passed since Carmack was developing Doom and “video game gods” have moved into the world of Indies where they can be called by their name and not as the “programmer” at that game.

You have to go beyond your individual microcosm that 10 years ago was what you needed to create something sustainable and meet others with similar scope . So the scope is extended and now the possibilities multiply. This are the teams and companies behind them and their interesting games.

So today we conclude our tribute to Demigod Studios with this third and final part , and we hope soon to get our hands on their first video game and what will follow after, as we look forward with all game creators after all!

Thanks once again to Stratos Kampourogiannis for everything he kindly agreed to tell us. Happy reading!”

Q. Biolab is your first game and will be out for smartphones.

Yes it is the first attempt of our company in the market of video games.

From the upcoming game for smartphones, Biolab

Q. How should a game begin in your opinion: I / we have an idea or is it more time consuming and complex than that?

It all starts with an idea. But the question is what you do after.

The hard part comes after as you need to turn this idea into a set of graphics, gameplay and sounds which will make the player interested to get to the end , to get his attention.

And this is very complicated because you have to combine the idea that you have and you want to play but also think from the side of the common gamer and what was it that he would like to see and would get his attention.

Because let’s face it, we make video games that a lot of people can play and enjoy them, not just us .

If it was like that then we would make a game, we would hide it in a drawer and keep it for ourselves. And don’t forget that in all these we should also take into account what the team is capable of creating. Because many times we see that teams start with a relatively simple project and at some point they try to create a video game that is far beyond their capabilities with bad results in the end.

From the upcoming game for smartphones, Biolab

Q. On the other hand what played a role in the choice of platform, e.g. why choose that instead of the web or a console? Many groups choose consoles because of cheaper total cost of equipment and tools, but also because of the multitude of applications in the so-called Smartphone Marketplaces.

It was a conscious choice because the growth of the mobile devices market and the relatively low cost needed to develop a title. Also the risk one takes is relatively small and has enabled us to measure our strength and see what we can do as a group that works for the first time in a video game.

Q. We see in your page Unity. Is this the engine you develop your games with?

The Unity Engine recently entered the production pipeline of our company as BioLAB was developed with the Corona SDK. The Unity Engine will be used in future company projects.

Q. What played the most important role in the selection of it? The trend around the Unity Engine, the tools and the support, the experience of your team members or the price?

The decision to use Unity was taken after seeing what our future needs are and what it can offer and of course the cost and support that such a graphics engine has.

Q. Speaking of the engine price how important it is for a company, working capital? Many beginning without even that and we should not ignore the cost of machinery and software.

You do not need much capital for someone to start and make his first steps. Most computers have so much computing power that with little money you can have a machine for game development. Also there are many graphics engines nowadays that are available for free and without any restrictions. The issue of software certainly exists and I believe that there you should allocate some money without the need to reach astronomical numbers.

From the upcoming game for smartphones, Biolab

Q. We ask all these because it bothers nearly everyone when they begin and the exchange of experience and expertise is important between us. Do you have plans for next game?

Demigod Studios is always looking into the future regardless of how committed we are in preparing each title.

If you do not have a plan you will release the game you are developing and then waste time thinking what you will do next and the whole group will wait, something that is destructive for business and economics.

Q. Is it not risky for a new group and company to have two production lines?

Not at all. You only need to know how to handle it and be ready to devote many hours to organize and manage both teams. Everything is a matter of good organization. Without it you can’t do anything no matter how big budget you have, no matter how experienced individuals are in each team

Q. When we should expect your first games?

We have not officially announced a date for Biolab yet but we hope to release it this year without committing to a date yet as it is important for us to make a game enjoyable to those who buy it and at the same time with as little problems and bugs as possible.

As for our other projects we will announce when we will be ready so be a little patient.

Q. Will you make an Open Beta or Testing will be in a more closed circle?

We are currently looking all the options we have and we will decide soon. In any case there will be an announcement on our official website.

Q. Video games, videogames(GREEK) or entertainment software?

Due to their origin I would have to say video games. Some things better to keep them as they are.

Q. How did the name Demigod Studios came?

As a Greek company i wanted its name to combine Greek elements from our mythology alongside a more westernized culture as video games have become a part of their culture in America and therefore have very big success there. I think the name Demigod Studios expresses the company perfectly as it targets a global audience without forgetting that at its base will be a Greek effort.

Q. What to expect from Demigod Studios in the future?

Our first goal is to release BioLAB for Android and perhaps other platforms something that has not been decided yet.

As for the future we have many projects we would like to share with you but it’s early yet. All in due time with hard work and above all with love for what we do …